The NFL Needs Some BCS

Why the Playoffs Would Be Spicier if Pro Teams Played in Bowls

Which bowl game will New England's Wes Welker be playing in?
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By

Kevin Clark

Jan. 11, 2013 7:49 p.m. ET

The divisional round of the NFL playoffs, which starts this weekend, is already considered a festival of gluttony for purebred football fans.

But this year, the level of competition may actually be worthy of the moment: For the first time since the NFL expanded its playoff format in 1990, all eight of the teams in action—the 49ers, Broncos, Falcons, Packers, Patriots, Ravens, Seahawks and Texans—rank in the top 12 among the NFL's 32 teams in both points scored and points allowed. Put simply, there's not a bowl of noodles in the bunch.

But if this is the strongest playoff bracket in NFL history, you wouldn't know it. Many of the league's marquee teams are nowhere to be found. All but one of the games is a rematch of a regular-season game that was mostly lopsided. And in the AFC, all four playoff teams are returnees from last year. (That's never happened in either conference.)

What's remarkable about this situation is that the concept of a "playoff" has never carried more cachet. Thanks to the endless advocacy of some fans (and their TV enablers) the college game is fixing to start a playoff within two years.

But if the NFL this year suggests anything, it's that even when the playoff system works (meaning the best teams all make it) there's no guarantee that the excitement will follow. In fact—at least this year—there's an argument to be made that the old college bowl and BCS system would make for spicier matchups.

Using football metrics that mirror the ones that guide the BCS system, we put together a full slate of NFL "bowl" games for the NFL, in which every team plays one postseason ga?me. Here's the full lineup, from the national title game to the Little Caesars Bowl.

National Title: Broncos vs. Patriots

A blatantly crowd-pleasing matchup, but it's the correct one. The No. 1-seed Atlanta Falcons, who finished with the NFC's best record, actually rank lowest in the NFL in strength of schedule. Their opponents won 42.2% of their games. The Broncos opponents won 45.7% of theirs and the Patriots' won 49.6%. Beyond that, the human element (yes, we have that in the bowl system) dictates that both of these teams jump the Falcons: The weekly Associated Press NFL poll places these as the top two teams. This bypasses the irrelevant teams in the playoffs and gets the matchup everyone wants to see: Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady.

Rose Bowl: 49ers vs. Packers

Here's a classic Midwest vs. West Coast matchup for the traditionalists. There's no clear favorite in a matchup that will actually be played tonight. (8 p.m. ET, FOX). The 49ers will most likely be able to run on the Packers, while the Packers will likely be able to pass. With a still-learning quarterback in Colin Kapernick, the Niners' ceiling is unknown, but wouldn't it be better if this game were played on a sunny afternoon in Pasadena?

Fiesta Bowl: Texans vs. Seahawks

Two great stories—the Texans have emerged as a model NFL franchise, led by defensive line ace J.J. Watt, and the Seahawks have the most intriguing quarterback in the postseason with rookie Russell Wilson. But let's face it: these two teams are unlikely to move the needle in a championship game.

Orange Bowl: Falcons vs. Steelers

Sorry, Falcons fans, but reports that thousands of tickets were available online for the game against the Seahawks doesn't bode well in the bowl system, where ticket sales trump all. Due to the poor strength of schedule, the Falcons were knocked down to the Orange Bowl, where they'll face a popular, if mediocre, Steelers team that is sure to sell out the stadium in South Florida. The Falcons, led by quarterback Matt Ryan and their big, physical receivers, Julio Jones and Roddy White, would hold an edge against the Steelers. But this weekend in their actual NFC divisional playoff against Seattle, known for their large, physical and fast cornerbacks, they will be less successful.

Sugar Bowl: Ravens vs. Redskins

It's been nearly a week since the wild-card round and all anyone wants to talk about is Redskins' quarterback Robert Griffin III, who dinged his knee in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. If you aren't talking about that, you're talking about the last hurrah of linebacker Ray Lewis, who did one final, trademark dance for the home fans after Baltimore's win over the Colts last weekend. This would certainly be a better matchup for the Ravens than what they're really getting when they take on the Broncos. Take the bowl trip, Baltimore, trust us.

The Other Bowls

Capital One Bowl: Colts vs. Giants

Eli Manning gets revenge on the Colts for his brother Peyton's exit last year.

Cotton Bowl: Cowboys vs. Bears

Who can underachieve more?

Chick-fil- A Bowl: Panthers vs. Vikings

Cam Newton vs. Adrian Peterson in one of the most exciting offensive duels.

Pinstripe Bowl: Jets vs. Raiders

A rematch of the "Heidi" game in which the game was pre-empted by a TV movie. This time, the network does it again, but only to relieve depressed fans watching at home.

Outback Bowl: Saints vs. Bengals

Drew Brees, unmoved by the exhibition nature of the game, uses the three hours to film six more commercials.

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